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4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. B. G. A; GANET. APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R CONTROLLING THE REGOIL 0P GUNS.

No. 430,920. Patented June 24, 1890.

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4 sheetssheet 2.

( No Model.)

- J. B. G. A. OANET. APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R CONTROLLING THE REGOIL OF GUNS. No. 430,920.

Patented June 24, 1890.

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Patented June 24. 1890.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. B. G. A. OANET. APPARATUS FOR GHEGKING 0R CONTROLLING THERECOIL 0F GUNS. No. 430,920.

Patented June 24 Z A 1. w m 3 2 zwwa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAYE ADOLPHE CANET, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SIR JOSEPH IVHITIVORTH do COMPANY, (LIMITED,) OF

OPENSHAW, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING R CONTROLLING THE RECOIL OF GUNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,920, dated June 24, 1890.

Application filed January 23, 1889. Serial No; 297,276. (No model.) Patented in England January 4, 1888, N0. 146, and in France March 5,1888,N0.184=,'7l1.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JEAN BAPTISTE Gus- TAVE ADOLPHE CANET, engineer, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of Paris, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Checking or Controlling the Recoil of Guns and for Effecting the Return of the Same to the Firing Position, (for which I have obtained a patent to in the following countries: in Great Britain, N 0. 146, dated January 4, 1888, and in France, certificate of addition, No. 184,711, dated March 5, 1888,) of which the following is a specification, referenee'being had to the accompanying drawings.

This inventionrelates to improvements in apparatus for checking or controlling the recoil of a gun and for storing up energy during such recoil, to be utilized for running out or returning the gun to its firing position.

, Myimprovements are very advantageously applicable to gun-mountings of the kind or class wherein the gunis supported by a cradle or top carriage arranged to slide upon a 2 5 chassis or frame under the control of hydraulic brakes, and having combined therewith springs which are compressed during the recoil, and which by their reaction edect V the running out or return of the gun to the 0 firing position. The said improvements are,

however, also applicable to other gun-mountlugs wherein the running out of the gun after its recoil is effected by the stored'up energy of springs acting as recuperators.

5 In such gun-mountings as heretofore constructed the recuperator-springs must be of great length, in order that the gun may recoil through a distance suflicient to allow its motion to be gradually arrested or checked 40 by the brakes. In some instances the said springs are of such length that they project to an inconvenient and objectionable extent beyond the chassis or frame of the gunmounting.

The main object of the present invention is to provide for diminishing the length of the space required for the recuperator-springs without diminishing the distance through which the gun can move in its recoil. For this purpose I substitute for a spring which exerts the whole of its elastic resistance in a single straight line one which exerts such resistance with the same effect in two or more parallel lines; or, in other words, I divide the length of a spring into two or more portions or sections and arrange the same parallel and in such relation to each other that they exert the same force as but occupy a shorter space than the undivided spring-that is to say, I

do not propose by my said invention to diminish the length or extent of a spring in the sense of diminishing the number or length of the elastic portions or elements of which the spring is composed; but instead of arranging these elastic portions or elements in one eontinuous straight line I place them in two or more parallel lines without changing their relation to each other in respect to their combined action or effect, and in carrying my invention into practice I arrange the separate 7o springs or sections of a spring in such a manner that one forms the hearing or abutment for another, so that the force of the recoil will be transmitted from one to the other.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one form of gun-mounting having ap plied thereto apparatus constructed according to my invention and comprising three springs, or a spring divided into two sections, one consisting of a single spring and the other of two springs, all arranged parallel to each other.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical longitudinal central section, and Fig. 2 a plan, partly in horizontal section, on the line w 13, Fig. 1, the parts being shown in the firing position. Fig. 3 is also a plan, partly in horizontal section, on the line 00 00, Fig. 1, the parts being shown in the recoiled position; and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation, partly in trans- 9o verse section, on the lines at 00' and 00 m Fig. 1.

Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

A is the base-plate or racer; B, the chassis, frame, or under carriage; vC, the cradle or top carriage, in which the gun I) is supported by its trunnions D, suitable hydraulic brakes being provided for counteracting or resisting the recoil.

a a are rods having heads a and secured in lugs or brackets B, formed on the sides, transoms, or cheeks of the chassis or frame B. Each of these rods a is combined with a spring I), which preferably surrounds the rod, and at its rear end bears or abuts against a ring or collar a held upon the said rod by a nut a whereby the initial compression of the spring b may be regulated as desired.

0 is a cross head or cross-bar, which is fitted to slide upon the rods a.

d is a rod, which from its head d extends through the center of the cross-head c and through a sleeve or cylinder e, formed with or firmly attached to the cradle or top carriage C. J, which surrounds the said rod and bears or abuts at its rear end upon an adjustable cap 'or disk 9, which is secured on the rod by locking-nuts d (i or by other convenient means, the said spring f being inclosed and protected by the said sleeve or cylinder e, as shown.

I prefer that the springs above mentioned should be formed of the well-known Belleville disks or washers; but spiral or other springs will serve my purpose. The two springs b form virtually one section and the spring f the other section of the recuper- 'ator-that is to say, the two springs 1) combined, as shown, with the spring f, produce .in the recuperator the same effect of force or resistance as would be produced by the addition to the spring f of a number of disks or washers equal in elastic force to the two springs 1), arranged parallel to each other, and

- it is desirable that the strength or resistance of each of V the springs 12 should be about one- .half of that of the spring f, and that the length of each springb should be about double that of the spring f, or the number of disks of each springbshould be about double the number of those of the spring f.

When the gun is fired, the top carriage O recoils therewith under the control of its brakes upon the chassis or' frame B, carrying with it the said sleeve or cylinder 6, and thus compressing the central spring f. At the same time the force of the recoil, being transmitted through this spring and through the cap or disk g to the central rod d, causes this rod by its head d to pull the cross-head c backward, thereby compressing the springs 12 upon the side rods a, the heads a of which,

bearing against the brackets B, hold the said 3 tions and movable bearings, abutments, or

rods so that their collars 0L support the ends of the said springs during the compression of the latter, a the position of the parts at the termination of the recoil being shown in Fig. 3. The recuperator-springs b fact in combination with the hydraulic brakes in checking or controlling the recoil of the gun. When the recoil ceases, the said springs 6 f, unless The rod dis combined with a spring restrained, will react and run out the gun and top carriage to the firing position. If

desired, however, suitable devices may be provided for retaining the gun in its recoiled position for any required length of time and for then releasing it by hand.

The forward ends of the springs b form bearings, abutments, or points of support for the cross-head c, and consequently for the .spring f, which bearings or abutments themator apparatus is so arranged that it does not project beyond the chassis or frame, it allows the gun to recoil through the desired distance.

In the gun-mounting shown in the drawings I use for retaining the gun in its recoiled position a spring bolt or catch h, adapted to enter one or the other of the notches O C in the under side of the top carriage, according to the distance through which the gun and top carriage recoil. The bolt or catch h is coupled to a lever j, which is pivoted at j to the chassis or frame B, and whereby the said bolt or catch may be withdrawn from the notch-to permit the running out of the gun.

Suitable means are provided for diminishing the concussion at the termination of the running-out or return movement of the gun. In the drawings I have shown butters or cushions for this purpose formed of Belleville disks or springs 10 and placed upon the rods a between the cross-head c and the lugs or brackets B.

It is obvious that the arrangement of the recuperator-springs relatively to each other can be "somewhat modified while retaining the principle of my invention; also, that the top carriage may, if desired, be otherwise connected with the spring through which the force of the recoil is to be first transmitted. It is, moreover, evident that my invention is applicable to gun-mountings in which recoilbrakes are used in combination with recuperators having a piston arranged to work in a cylinder and .to be acted upon by fluid-press- I ure generated by the recoil, so as to store up energy in springs and subsequently utilize such energy for running out the gun.

By increasing the number of springs or seccertained the nature of my said inventionand in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that this invention does not comprise a series or group of side by side, each supported by a fixed bear-i ing or abutment, whereas in my'springs the parallel arrangement of the parts or sections is in all cases combined with the continuity of the elastic or resilient action from one to the other end of the series of disks, coils, or other elements of the spring; and

1. In a gun mounting, the combination, with the recoiling and non-recoiling parts of the said mounting, of a recuperator-spring divided into sections, one of which bears at its forward end against a shoulder or projection on the recoiling part and another of which bears at its rear end against an abutment on the non-recoiling part, and a movable hearing or abutment which is connected with the rear end of the first secticn and bears against the forward end of the second section, so that it will transmit the force of the recoil from one section to another, for the purposes above specified.

2. In a gun -mounting, the combination, with the recoiling and non-recoiling parts of the said mounting, of a recuperator-spring composed of sections arranged parallel to each other, one of which bears at its forward end against a shoulder or projection on the recoiling part and another of which bears at its rear end against an abutment on the nonrecoiling part, and a movable hearing or abutment which is connected by a rod or bolt with the rear end of the first section and bears against the forward end of the second section and which transmits the force of the recoil from one section to another, for the purposes above specified.

3. In a gun mounting, the combination, with the recoiling and non-recoiling parts of the said mounting, of a recuperator-spring composed of sections arranged parallel to each other, one of which bears at its forward end against a shoulder-or projection 011 the recoiling part and another of which bears at its rear end against an abutment on the nonrecoiling part, a movable hearing or abutment which bears against the forward end of the second section and is connected by a rod or bolt with the rear end of the first section and which transmits the force of the recoil from one section toanother, and a spring or buffer arranged between the said movable abutment and a shoulder or projection in front thereof on the said non-recoilingpart, for the purposes above specified.

4. In a gun mounting, the combination, with the recoiling and non-recoiling parts of the said mounting, of a recuperator comprising pairs of concavo-convex plates or disks arranged in series or groupswhich are parallel to each other, and one of which bears at its forward end against a shoulder or projection 011 the recoiling part and another at its rear end against an abutment on the non-recoiling part, and a movable bearing or abutment which bears against the forward end of the second series or group and is connected by a rod or bolt with a plate or disk bearing against the rear end of the'first series or group, so that the said series or groups will be simultaneously compressed by the recoil and will by their reaction effect the running out of the gun.

5; In a gun -mounting, the combination, with the chassis or under carriage and the cradle or top carriage, of a rod secured in the said under carriage and provided with a bearing or abutment, a spring mounted upon the said rod, a movable bearing or abutment arranged to slide upon the said rod, a rod secured at one end in the said movable bearing or abutment and proyided at its other end with another bearing or abutment, a spring mounted upon this'rod, and a bearing or abutment 011 the cradle or top carriage arranged to act upon the said spring in the recoil, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a gun-mounting, the combination,

, with the cradle or top carriage and the under carriage,'of a central and two side springs arranged parallel to each other, a cylinder or sleeve formed or fixed on the top carriage and inclosing the said central spring, a rod extending through the said spring and provided with an abutment therefor, a cross head which is carried by the said rod and which extends to and acts upon the side springs, and rods which extend through the said side springs and are provided with abutments therefor and which are connected with the under carriage, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

'7. In a gun-mounting, the combination, with the under carriage B and the cradle or top carriage C, of the sleeve or cylinder 6,

formed or fixed on the said top carriage, a spring f inclosed in the said sleeve or cylinder, a rod (Z, extending through the said spring and provided with a bearing or abutment g therefor, a cross-head or movable bearing or abutment 0, carried by the said rod, side rods a, which are secured to the said under carriage and are provided at their rear endswith hearings or abutments a and upon which the said cross-head c is arranged to slide, and springs 19, arranged upon the said side rods between the abutments a and cross-head c, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a gun-mounting, the combination, with the under carriage B and the cradle or top carriage O, of the sleeve or cylinder e, formed or fixed on the said top carriage, a spring f iuclosed in the said sleeve or cylin der, a rod (Z, extending through the said spring abutment 0, carried by the said rod, side rods tions B on the under carriage; substantially 1o a, which are secured to the said under carriage and are provided at their rear ends with bearings 0r abntments a and upon which the said cross-head 0 is arranged-to slide, springs b, arranged upon the said side rods between the abutments a and cross-head c, and springs or buffers 7c, also arranged upon the said side rods between the cross-head c and projecas and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto slgned my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAVE ADOLPHE CANET. Witnesses:

J. L.. R'ATHBONE, R. J. PRESTON. 

